Massage Therapy and the Female Athlete Triad

The needs of male and female athletes are very different, and these differences are apparent in all phases of athletic medical care -- from diagnosis, to treatment, to massage or physical therapy efforts.

An ailment exclusive to female athletes is the female athlete triad, a triumvirate of disorders that have a domino effect on one's overall health. The three components of this affliction are disordered eating, amenorrhea (or loss of menstrual periods for three consecutive months), and osteoporosis (or a thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density). Affected athletes are best helped when each component of the triad is addressed and treated separately - and massage and sports rehabilitation therapy are helpful treatment options for this condition.

Athletes of both genders must focus on developing many of the same attributes in their bodies: strength, balance, endurance, precision. However, women are more likely than men to participate in sports and athletic endeavors that focus on body weight, size, and appearance. Gymnastics, figure-skating, ballet, and cheer-leading/color guard are some examples of these image-focused sports. In ballet, for example, the pre-pubescent figure is regarded as ideal, and bodily markers of adult female estrogen levels, such as visible breasts and hips, are taboo at many dance schools.

Many adolescent girls and women become image-obsessed, focusing on cutting their caloric intakes as much as possible, while continuing to train at the same vigorous, competitive levels. Once a person begins a calorie-restricted diet, it can be difficult to stop - many dieters report starvation-induced euphoria and delight at their shrinking bodies. The starvation method of weight loss is detrimental to training athletes, who typically have lower-than-normal body fat levels to begin with. A girl or woman needs at least 18 percent body fat to menstruate, and once body fat drops below this level, menstruation can cease. In girls who have not yet begun their periods, the onset of menstrual bleeding (menarche) can be delayed for years.

The cessation of menstruation is problematic because it upsets the female body's natural estrogen levels. As estrogen levels drop, bone density loss and bone weakening can occur. Estrogen in women has a protective effect on the skeletal system, enabling bone development during adolescence, and halting bone loss throughout early- and mid-adulthood. Adolescent amenorrhea can prevent a female athlete from building peak bone mass; adult amenorrhea can speed up the process.

Even worse, weakened bones are susceptible to fractures and injuries. Coupled with inadequate nutrition from calorie-restrictive diets, female athletes might wind up injured and unable to train or compete. The more headstrong among these athletes continue to train despite multiple injuries and amenorrhea, setting themselves up for long bouts of poor health. Medical intervention is critical for these types of athletes.

Massage therapy can work in several ways to help individuals suffering from the female athlete triad get well. Some types of massage therapy are instrumental in helping athletes recover from injuries, including injuries sustained as a result of low body weight and over-exercising. Massage and sports rehabilitation therapy performed upon the recommendation of a sports physician can be helpful to recovery from physical symptoms of the female athlete triad.

Massage therapy can also help female athletes relax. Lowering levels of physical and mental stress can assist female athlete triad patients in feeling better overall. Appetite recovery and sleep restoration can help these athletes to begin menstruating regularly again, and will assist in faster recovery from injuries. Some athletes will feel less of a compulsion to exercise to the point of exhaustion once their cortisol (stress hormone) levels are lowered.

Finally, massage therapy can help female athletes feel better about themselves. They might become more comfortable with their bodies, and learn to appreciate their strengths and athletic skills. Massage also releases endorphins, or feel-good hormones, that can replace the euphoria often caused by starving. Whole-body relaxation can also contribute to an improved sense of self - when the athlete feels her life is under control, she might no longer feel a drive to focus on controlling her weight and appearance.

As the athlete recovers, she often institutes a better diet, at the recommendation of a trained nutritionist. This improved diet provides enough nourishment for her athletic endeavors. Improved nutrition also helps her to recover faster from injuries sustained from amenorrhea and over-training. As her period returns, so, too, will her bone density, and finally, her strength and stamina.

Recovering from the female athlete triad can be difficult. However, with the aid of a professional team, including a sports physician, nutritionist, and massage or sports rehabilitation therapist, affected athletes do not have to suffer alone.

About the Author/Author Bio

Fremont College, located in Cerritos, California in Los Angeles County, offers a two-year AS degree program in sports and rehabilitation therapy, as well as a 10-month diploma program leading to the massage therapy certificate. For more information, visit the Fremont College Web site.

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